Recoil Impulse Reducing Bolt Carrier Group for Firearms

ABSTRACT

A recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group includes a main bolt carrier group body for the intended weapon system and a recoil impulse reducing assembly. The recoil impulse reducing assembly fits inside the main bolt carrier group body. The recoil impulse reducing assembly includes an interchangeable weight and a dampener, such as springs or fluid. The weight moves within the main bolt carrier group body under hydraulic and/or spring tension. The recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group manipulates weight distribution during the operation of the firearm to prevent and reduce front and rear recoil forces from affecting the firearm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/163,196, entitled “Recoil Reducing Bolt Carrier Group with Interchangeable Weights” and filed on May 18, 2015. The complete disclosure of said provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A bolt carrier group is an assembly that allows a firearm to function by reciprocating back and forth along a track. The bolt carrier group includes a main body, a bolt and a firing pin. The bolt interfaces with the cartridge and the firing pin causes the cartridge to fire. The main body holds the bolt and the firing pin. During the reciprocating movement of the bolt carrier group, the bolt carrier group feeds the ammunition, chambers the ammunition, and then extracts and ejects the ammunition. The bolt carrier group is also responsible for the cocking and the firing mechanisms of the weapon. The current bolt carrier groups do not compensate for the effects of reciprocating weight on weapon handling. The reciprocating weight unbalances the weapon while in use, which diminishes effective use.

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art bolt carrier groups by reducing the effects of the reciprocating weight and thus providing the user more control of the weapon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group that includes a main bolt carrier group body for the intended weapon system and a recoil impulse reducing assembly. The recoil impulse reducing assembly fits inside the main bolt carrier group body. The recoil impulse reducing assembly includes an interchangeable weight and a dampener, such as springs or fluid. The weight moves within the main bolt carrier group body under hydraulic and/or spring tension. The recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group manipulates weight distribution during the operation of the firearm to prevent and reduce front and rear recoil forces from affecting the firearm.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with drawings as described following:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of the components of the recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group of the present invention.

FIG. 1(B) is a partially exploded view of the recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group of the present invention.

FIG. 1(C) is a perspective view of the recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group of the present invention.

FIG. 2(A) is a side sectional view of an FN SCAR style bolt carrier group and a side view of the recoil impulse reducing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2(B) is a side sectional view of an FN SCAR style bolt carrier group with the recoil impulse reducing assembly of the present invention installed.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a rifle showing the relative positioning of the recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group of the present invention.

FIGS. 4(A)-4(D) are partial side views of a rifle showing the relative positioning of the bolt carrier group and the weight of the recoil impulse reducing assembly of the present invention after the firing of the rifle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-4(D), the preferred embodiments of the recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group 10 may be described. The recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group 10 of the present invention includes: a main bolt carrier group body 12 for the intended weapon system and a recoil impulse reducing assembly 14. During operation, a bolt with a firing pin is positioned in the main bolt carrier group body 12. The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 also fits inside the main bolt carrier group body 12, which is preferably a cylindrical shape. The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 includes an interchangeable weight 20 and a dampener to slow movement of the weight 20 in the bolt carrier group 10. For example, the dampener may be buffer springs, such as two front buffer springs 22 and one rear buffer spring 24 shown in FIG. 1(C). In another example, the dampener may be fluid, such as oil. For example, the fluid preferably is encapsulated to prevent the fluid from exiting the bolt carrier group 10 during the cycle of the weapon. The weight 20 of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 moves within the space 16 of the bolt carrier group 10 under hydraulic and/or spring tension.

Turning to FIGS. 1(A)-1(C), one embodiment of the present invention may be described. These figures show the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 utilized in the bolt carrier group of an AR-15 or AR-10 styled rifle. Many firearms, such as the AR-15 and AR-10 rifles, require long bolt carrier groups to operate effectively. These bolt carrier groups have unutilized space 16, which is where the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 is installed. The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 cancels recoil forces without affecting firearm function.

As shown in FIGS. 1(A)-1(C), the present invention includes the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14, which includes the interchangeable weight 20 positioned between front 22 and rear buffer springs 24. The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 may be secured inside the bolt carrier group in many different ways. In the example shown in FIGS. 1(A)-1(C), a threaded end cap 26 and set screw are used to keep the weight in place. The threaded cap 26 screws into the back of the bolt carrier group 10 and, in order to prevent the threaded cap from backing out, a set screw is used to keep pressure on the threaded cap 26. The threaded cap prevents the rear springs 24 and weight 20 from exiting the bolt carrier group body 12.

With reference to FIGS. 2(A)-2(B), another preferred embodiment of the present invention may be described. In this instance, the invention is shown with use in a FN SCAR® style of rifle. The structure of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 may vary because the weapon system is different, but the function of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 is the same. The FN SCAR® type of bolt carrier has a long travel pathway for the bolt carrier group. In order to insure effective and stable operation, the bolt carrier group for the FN SCAR® rifle was designed to be long. There are large amounts of unused space, as shown in FIGS. 2(A)-2(B), which allows for effective placement of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14. In this embodiment, the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 includes an interchangeable weight 20 positioned between a front spring 22 and a rear spring 24 and moveable on a rod 18. An end cap 26 is attached to both the front spring 22 and the rear spring 24. The rod is received through the end caps 26 and the springs 22, 24. The end caps 26 may be threaded for attachment to the ends of the rod 18 or may alternatively be welded to the ends of the rod 18. The end caps 26 are preferably made of polymer material which will reduce any unintended secondary vibrations. The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 manipulates the bolt carrier group by delaying and dispersing the full force of impact. This allows for changing the duration and level of energy being dissipated on the weapon system for a desired effect.

FIG. 3 shows the relative positioning of the bolt carrier group of the present invention in a rifle 30. As the weapon fires, the bolt carrier is pushed to the rear of the weapon along the internal pathway inside the weapon. This is caused by a set amount of gas from the weapon being discharged that interacts with the bolt carrier group by direct impingement or by contact with a piston. The removable weights add or reduce resistance to the movement of the bolt carrier group. This helps slow or accelerate the rearward path of the bolt carrier group.

FIGS. 4(A)-4(D) show the movement of the bolt carrier group and the weight 20 of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 at various stages after the firing of the weapon. FIG. 4(A) shows the bolt carrier group moving rearward as the weapon is fired. As the bolt carrier group moves rearwardly along its pathway, the weight 20 begins its rearward movement. As shown in FIG. 4(B), once the bolt carrier group reaches it maximum rearward position, the weight 20 is still traveling rearwardly. The weight 20 of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 therefore slows the rearward movement of the bolt carrier group. The bolt carrier group then begins its forward movement, as shown in FIG. 4(C). At the same time, the weight 20 finally reaches its maximum rearward position within the bolt carrier group and retards the forward movement of the bolt carrier group. As shown in FIG. 4(D), the bolt carrier group then reaches its maximum forward position. At the same time, the weight 20 is still moving forward within the bolt carrier group. The weight 20 continues moving forward until it reaches its resting position as shown in FIG. 4(A). These steps help ensure the full closing of the bolt into the barrel assembly of the weapon. This mechanism delays the impact of the energy dissipation in the weapon platform, while maintaining the correct amount of energy for proper function.

The proper functioning of the present invention is dependent upon the interchangeable weight 20. The weight preferably is spring loaded or hydraulically resisted and oscillates independently within the bolt carrier group 10. The interchangeable weight 20 causes drag on the fore and aft movement on the bolt carrier group 10. As the bolt carrier group 10 moves forward the tendency of the weight 20 to stay motionless creates drag on the bolt carrier group's 10 rearward movement. Then once the weight 20 is moving rearward, it creates drag on the bolt carrier group's 10 forward movement as it takes kinetic energy from the bolt carrier group 10 to redirect the removable weight 20 forward again. Different weights, materials, and types of resistance (hydraulic and/or spring) may be used to manipulate the effects of recoil. These modifications would be weapon platform and caliber specific due to the different forces they exert on the weapon platform.

The removable and interchangeable weight 20 of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 functions to alter the potential and kinetic energy profiles of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14. The weight is positioned in the bolt carrier group differently based upon the firearm platform being utilized and the placement of recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 in the bolt carrier group of that particular firearm platform. As described above, in one embodiment the weight is retained in the bolt carrier group by a fastener such as a screw. In another embodiment, roll pins may be utilized. The weights may be of different weights, spring tensions, and hydraulic resistance for the different effects on the operation of the firearm desired. The weights however must be made of a material with enough mass to have the positive effects on the bolt carrier group described above.

The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 may be removed and replaced by another assembly with a different weight in order to achieve different effects for different calibers of ammunition. The recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 compensates for the higher or lower kinetic energy of different caliber cartridges. This interchangeable weight 20 is a critical element of the invention. There could be alternative designs created by changing the placement or reconfiguring the interchangeable weights in the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14. There could also be alternative designs by changing the placement or configuration of the recoil impulse reducing assembly 14 in the bolt carrier group.

The recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group 10 manipulates weight distribution during the operation of the firearm to prevent and reduce front and rear recoil forces from affecting the firearm. The recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group 10 turns the recoil forces from a “sharp snap” into a “wave.” The present invention achieves this result by having a spring loaded or hydraulically resisted weight that oscillates independently within the bolt carrier group. The weights are selected to have the proper amount of mass to have the best effects on the weapon's operation. The weight provides the proper amount of drag on the system to enhance system function. The weight also delays or buffers the weight of the full impact of the bolt carrier group's movement on the weapon by distributing the energy of the strike over a longer period of time. This reduces wear and tear on the weapon system and ancillary attachments and also allows for faster follow on shots. The recoil impulse reducing bolt carrier group 10 changes the force of the impact of the bolt carrier group's movement in the weapon. When mass is increased or decreased, the overall kinetic energy is manipulated. This means that the function of the bolt carrier group can be manipulated completely through its operational stroke. This energy level is optimized for the recoil forces depending on the user's needs. This invention helps centralize reciprocating mass, slow rate of fire, increase rate of effective fire for the user, and dampen recoil forces. This weight also keeps more of the oscillating mass in the center of the weapon, thus making it easier to control. It delays the full impact on the weapon components while making the weapon cycle with the same amount of fore and aft kinetic energy. This allows the materials inside the weapon to absorb lower amounts of energy over longer periods of time, thus reducing component stress and increasing the overall service life of the weapon and attached recoil sensitive components (e.g. optics, thermals, night vision devices).

The present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A bolt carrier group for a weapon comprising: a bolt carrier group body; and a recoil impulse reducing assembly comprising a weight and a dampener configured to dampen a movement of said weight.
 2. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein said bolt carrier group body comprises an internal space.
 3. The bolt carrier group of claim 2, wherein said recoil impulse reducing assembly is positioned in said internal space of said bolt carrier group body.
 4. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein said dampener comprises a first spring and a second spring.
 5. The bolt carrier group of claim 4, wherein said weight is positioned between said first spring and said second spring.
 6. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein said dampener is fluid.
 7. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, wherein said recoil impulse reducing assembly is removable from said bolt carrier group body.
 8. The bolt carrier group of claim 2, wherein said weight is moveable within said internal space of said bolt carrier group body.
 9. The bolt carrier group of claim 1, further comprising a rod.
 10. The bolt carrier group of claim 9, wherein said rod and said weight are connected. 